Ignition device



y 2, 1963 E. c. BETTONI 3,096,405

IGNITION DEVICE Filed March 6, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 3s 3s 42 I: I

32 24 26 I! 8 i l i 46 2 2| 4s -2o 23 l 22 F'Go -|4 FIGJ.

INVENTOR. EUGENE C. BETTONI ATTO NEYS United States Patent 3,096,405IGNETION DEVIQE Eugene C. Bettoni, Birmingham, Mich, assignor to HolleyCarburetor Company, Warren, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Filed Mar.6, 1961, Ser. No. 93,624 13 Ciaims. (Cl. Mid-=31) The present inventionrelates to ignition systems for internal combustion engines and moreparticularly, to the construction and adjustment of a circuit breakerassembly.

In the past, different designs of circuit breaker assemblies have beenproposed wherein the rubbing blocks were machined to maintain closertolerances since the adjustable contact arm of each assembly was limitedto a small amount of movement. In such instances, the adjustment meansemployed were suilicient only to obtain approximate settings of therubbing blocks. If a more precise setting was desired in each assembly,it was required to machine the rubbing block. This machining process isundesirable since it. removes the hard polished surface of thecam-engaging portion of the rubbing block which is vitally necessary forlong rubbing block life.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a circuit breakerarm and bracket assembly which includes means for adjusting the circuitbreaker assembly to precision accuracy and for eliminatnig the necessityof machining the rubbing blocks.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedignition contact set characterized by economy of production, simplicityof construction, and improvement in operation.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent as thedescription proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment of theinvention, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view, partially in cross section, taken alongthe line 11 of FIGURE 2, showing a distributor embodying the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the invention taken along the line 2-2 ofFIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of FIGURE2.

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the adjustable breaker plate showing itcompletely separated from the remaining parts of the circuit breakerassembly.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on line 55 of FIGURE 2.

Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, FIG- URE 1 illustratesan ignition distributor which communicates by means of suitableconduitry, not shown, with a port in the carburetor, not shown. Asusual, the carburetor is located on the engine manifold in such a mannerso as to deliver a combustible mixture. The flow of the combustiblemixture to the individual intake ports of the cylinders, located in aninternal combustion engine, is controlled by a throttle Valve.

The distributor 10 comprises a housing 12 including a depending reducedportion 14 having an opening 16 therethrough for the reception of adriving shaft 18. The upper end of the cup-shaped housing 12 isgenerally closed by a fixed breaker plate 20 which is secured to .thehousing 12 by means of a bolt 22. A movable breaker plate 23 is fixed tothe fixed breaker plate 29 in .a manner to be subsequently described. Astandard breaker arm assembly 24 includes an assembly plate 21 and abreaker arm 25 which carries a rubbing block 26 that is not machined.The block 26 is engageable by the rotating cam 28 to effect, make andbreak the circuit at the contacts indicated at 30' and 31 in FIGURE 2.The arm 25 is pivoted on a post 29 so as to provide for rocking move-"ice ment about an axis spaced from and parallel to the axis of thetubular shaft 32. The cam 28 is fixedly secured to the tubular shaft 32which is rotatable with the shaft 18 in its normal operation, but whichis angularly adjustable relative thereto to advance or retard the sparktiming.

An insulated rotor 34 having a spring-like electrical contact 36 thereonis secured to the upper portion of the tubular shaft 32 and is adaptedto be rotated thereby normally in accordance with engine speed. Contact36 which is continually biased against the ignition coil input terminal38 of the distributor cap 40 is adapted to sequentially traverse theoutput terminals 42 of cap 40 of which only one is shown) and is sopositioned that the two are in juxtaposition whenever the electricaldischarge occurs.

The shaft 18 is driven in accordance with engine speed by means of thegear 44. A condenser 46 is connected to the terminals of one of thecontacts 30 or 31 by means of a wire 48.

The adjustable breaker plate 23, as is clearly illus' trated in FIGURE4, has adjustment slots 56 and 58. The parallel sides of the slots 58and 56' are at right angles to each other, as is indicated in FIGURE 4,and are adaptable to receive the extended portions 60 and 61 ofeccentrics 62 and 63 respectively which are both fixed in the fixedbreaker plate 20 as indicated at 65. Holes 64 and 66 are formed in theadjustable breaker plate 23 to facilitate movement of the circuitbreaker assembly 24 during adjustment. Opening 68 is provided in thebreaker plate 23 and has a notch 70 therein. A notch '72 is alsoprovided in the assembly plate 21. The standard circuit breaker assembly24 is adjustable by means of a blade-type tool, such as a screwdriver,which is inserted into notches 70 and 72. The assembly plate 21 isprovided with a pair of slots 76 and 78.

The assembly of that portion of the distributor 10 embodying theinvention will now be described. The mov able or adjustable breakerplate 23 is placed on top of the fixed breaker plate 20 so that theeccentric portions 69- and 61 are received in the slots 58 and 56respectively. The assembly plate 21 is placed on top of the plate 23, asis illustrated in FIGURE 3, so that the adjustment slots 78 and 76 aresuperimposed over the holes 64 and 66 which are formed in the movablebreaker plate 23. Locking screws 86 and 82 are inserted through theaforesaid holes and slots so as to engage the threaded openings 84 and86 provided in the fixed breaker plate 20. After adjustment, the screws86 and 82' are tightened.

In order to make the adjustments as taught by the invention, the screwsand 82 are loosened enough so that reasonable force will enable movementof the circuit breaker assembly 24 and the movable plate 23. In movingor adjusting the assembly plate 21, a blade-type tool is engaged betweennotches 70 and 72 and turned either right or left to the desiredposition of rubbing block 26 with respect to the cam 28.

Further adjustment of the rubbing block 26 with respect to the cam 28may be made by turning either or both of the eccentrics 62 and 63 byplacing a screwdriver in slots provided therein. Upward or downwardmovement of the movable plate 23 may be made by turning eccentric 62,the direction of plate 23 depending upon the movement of the eccentric 62. Horizontal movement to the right or left, as viewed in FIGURE 2, isobtained by turning eccentric 63, the direction of movement of theadjustable plate 23 again depending on the direction of movement ofeccentric 63. If so desired, both eccentrics 62 and 63 may be turned.This would result in breaker plate 23 moving between the verticalandh'orizo'ntal'directions. After the movable breaker plate 21 isadjusted and the contacts 30 and 31 are properly set, the screws 80 and82 are tightened.

With the above construction, it may be seen that the movable breakerplate 21 is adjustable for more precise calibration after the primaryadjustment is made in the usual manner. This method of adjustmenteliminates the necessity of machining the end of the rubbing block, thusreducing cost and increasing rubbing block life.

The drawings and the foregoing specification constitute a description ofthe improved circuit breaker arm and bracket assembly in such full,clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, the scope of which is indicated by theappended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. A distributor mechanism comprising a drive shaft, a cam carried bysaid drive shaft for rotation therewith, a fixed breaker plate, anadjustable breaker plate on top of said fixed breaker plate, an ignitioncontact assembly mounted on said adjustable breaker plate and includinga pivotally mounted breaker arm having a laterally extending rubbingblock thereon opposite said cam, primary adjustment means for effectingan adjustment between said ignition contact assembly and said adjustablebreaker plate to obtain an approximate setting between said rubbingblock and said cam, a pair of independently operated secondaryadjustment means between said adjustable and fixed breaker plates forobtaining the final setting between said rubbing block and said cam, andfastening means for holding said ignition contact assembly and saidadjustable breaker plate in a fixed position after the aforesaidsettings have been made, one of said secondary adjustment means beingadapted to move said adjustable breaker plate in a first directionsubstantially perpendicular to the axis of said drive shaft, and theother of said secondary adjustment means being adapted to move saidadjustable breaker plate in a second direction substan tiallyperpendicular to said first direction.

2. A circuit breaker arm and bracket assembly comprising a fixed breakerplate, an adjustable breaker plate on top of said fixed breaker plate,an ignition contact assembly mounted on said adjustable breaker plateand including an assembly plate having a pivotally mounted breaker armthereon, said breaker arm having a laterally extending rubbing blockthereon, primary adjustment means for effecting an adjustment betweenthe assembly plate of said ignition contact assembly and said adjustablebreaker plate to obtain an approximate set-ting of said rubbing block,and a pair of independently operated secondary adjustment means betweensaid adjustable and fixed breaker plates for obtaining the final settingof said rubbing block, said pair of secondary adjustment means beingeffective to move said adjustable breaker plate in directions which areapproximately 90 apart.

3. A circuit breaker arm and bracket assembly comprising a fixed breakerplate, an adjustable breaker plate on top of said fixed breaker plate,an ignition contact assembly mounted on said adjustable breaker plateand including an assembly plate having a pivotally mounted breaker armthereon, said breaker arm having a laterally extending rubbing blockthereon, primary adjustment means for eifecting an adjustment betweenthe assembly plate of said ignition contact assembly and said adjustablebreaker plate to obtain an approximate setting of said rubbing block,and secondary adjustment means between said adjustable and fixed breakerplates for obtaining the final setting of said rubbing block, saidsecondary adjustment means comprising a pair of eccentric pin and slotconnections between said breaker plates.

4. A circuit breaker arm and bracket assembly comprising a fixed breakerplate, an adjustable breaker plate on top of said fixed breaker plate,an ignition contact assembly mounted on said adjustable breaker plateand including an assembly plate having a pivotally mounted breaker armthereon, said breaker arm having a laterally extending rubbing blockthereon, primary adjustment means for efiecting an adjustment betweenthe assembly plate of said ignition contact assembly and said adjustablebreaker plate to obtain an appnoximate setting of said rubbing block,and secondary adjustment means between said adjustable and fixed breakerplates for obtaining the final setting of said rubbing block, saidsecondary adjustment means comprising a pair of movable eccentricsconnected to said fixed breaker plate, said eccentrics having portionsreceived in adjustment slots provided in said adjustable breaker plate.

5. A circuit breaker arm and bracket assembly as defined in claim 4wherein the parallel sides of said adjustment slots provided in saidadjustable breaker plate are perpendicular to one another.

6. A circuit breaker arm and bracket assembly comprising a fixed breakerplate having a pair of upwardly extending eccentrics, an adjustablebreaker plate having slots therein for receiving portions of saideccentrics, a pair of openings in said adjustable breaker plate, anignition contact assembly having a bracket with a pivotally mountedbreaker arm thereon, a laterally extending rubbing block on said arm, apair of fastening slots in said bracket overlying the openings in saidadjustable breaker plate, primary adjustment means for effecting anadjustment bet-ween said ignition contact assembly and said adjustablebreaker plate to obtain an approximate set-ting of said rubbing block,secondary adjustment means between said adjustable and fixed breakerplates being obtained by changing the positions of one of saideccentrics so as to obtain the final setting of said rubbing block, andfasteners extending through said fastening slots and openings intothreaded engagement with said fixed breaker plate for holding saidignition con-tact assembly and adjustable breaker plate in a fixedposition after the aforesaid settings have been made.

7. A circuit breaker arm and bracket assembly defined in claim 6 whereinthe parallel sides of the slots in said adjustable breaker plate areperpendicular to one another.

8. A circuit breaker arm and bracket assembly defined in claim 6 whereinone of said eccentrics is adapted to move said adjustable breaker platein a first direction and the other eccentric is adapted to move saidadjustable breaker plate in a second direction which is perpendicular tothe movement of the plate in the first direction.

9. A distributor mechanism comprising a drive shaft, a cam carried bysaid drive shaft for rotation therewith, a fixed breaker plate, anadjustable breaker plate on top of said fixed breaker plate, an ignitioncontact assembly mounted on said adjustable breaker plate and includingan assembly plate having a pivotally mounted breaker arm there-on, saidbreaker arm. having a laterally extending rubbing block thereon oppositesaid cam, primary adjustment means for effecting an adjustment betweenthe assembly plate of said ignition contact assembly and said adjustablebreaker plate to obtain :an approximate setting between said rubbingblock and said cam, a pair of independently operated secondaryadjustment means between said adjustable and fixed breaker plates forobtaining the final setting between said rubbing block and said cam, andfastening means for holding said assembly plate and said adjustablebreaker plate in a fixed position after the aforesaid settings have beenmade, one of said secondary adjustment means being adapted to move saidadjustable breaker plate in a first direction substantiallyperpendicular to the axis of said drive shaft, and the other of saidsecondary adjustment means being adapted to move said adjustable breakerplate in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said firstdirection.

10. A distributor mechanism defined in claim 9 wherein said pair ofindependently operated adjustment means comprises a pair of eccentricconnections.

11. A distributor mechanism defined in claim wherein said eccentricconnections each comprise a movable eccentric connected to the fixedbreaker plate and having a portion received in a slot provided in theadjustable breaker plate.

12. A distributor mechanism comprising a drive shaft, a cam carried bysaid drive shaft for rotation therewith, a fixed breaker plate, anadjustable breaker plate on top of said fixed breaker plate, an ignitioncontact assembly mounted on said adjustable breaker plate and includinga pivotally mounted breaker arm having a laterally extending rubbingblock thereon opposite said cam, primary adjustment means for effectingan adjustment between said ignition contact assembly and said adjustablebreaker plate to obtain an approximate setting between said rubbingblock and said cam, secondary adjustment means between said adjustableand fixed breaker plates for obtaining the final setting between saidrubbing block and said cam, and fastening means for holding saidignition contact assembly and said adjustable breaker plate in a fixedposition after the aforesaid settings have been made, said secondaryadjustment means comprising a pair of eccentric connections, one ofsaid'eccentric connections being adapted to move said adjustable breakerplate in a first direction perpendicular to the axis of said driveshaft, and the other of said eccentric connections being adapted to movesaid adjustable breaker plate in a second direction perpendicular tosaid first direction.

13. A distributor mechanism comprising a drive shaft, a cam carried bysaid drive shaft for rotation therewith, a fixed breaker plate, anadjustable breaker plate on top of said fixed breaker plate, an ignitioncontact assembly mounted on said adjustable breaker plate and includinga pivotally mounted breaker arm having a laterally extending rubbingblock thereon opposite said cam, primary adjustment 'means for effectingan adjustment between said ignition contact assembly and said adjustablebreaker plate to obtain an approximate setting between said rubbingblock and said cam, secondary adjustment means between said adjustableand fixed breaker plates for obtaining the final setting between saidrubbing block and said cam, and fastening means for holding saidignition contact assembly and said adjustable breaker plate in a fixedposition after the aforesaid settings have been made, said secondaryadjustment means comprising a pair of eccentric connections, one of saideccentric connections being adapted to move said adjustable breakerplate in a first direction perpendicular to the axis of said driveshaft, and the other of said eccentric connections being adapted to movesaid adjustable breaker plate in a second direction perpendicular tosaid first direction, each of said eccentric connections comprising amovable eccentric connected to the fixed breaker plate and having aportion received in a slot provided in the adjustable breaker plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,115,462 Hittle Apr. 26, 1938 2,290,078 Thomas July 14, 1942 2,519,976Phelon Aug. 22, 1950 2,727,104 Filko Dec. 13, 1955 2,847,524- Slick Aug.12, 1958 2,902,553 Bensinger Sept. 1, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 473,526 GreatBritain Oct. 14, 1937 747,644 France Apr. 4, 1933

1. A DISTRIBUTOR MECHANISM COMPRISING A DRIVE SHAFT A CAM CARRIED BYSAID DRIVE SHAFT FOR ROTATION THEREWITH, A FIXED BREAKER PLATE, ANADJUSTABLE BREAKER PLATE ON TOP OF SAID FIXED BREAKER PLATE, AN IGNITIONCONTACT ASSEMBLY MOUNTED ON SAID ADJUSTABLE BREAKER PLATE AND INCLUDINGA PIVOTALLY MOUNTED BREAKER ARM HAVING A LATERALLY EXTENDING RUBBINGBLOCK THEREON OPPOSITE SAID CAM, PRIMARY ADJUSTMENT MEANS FOR EFFECTINGAN ADJUSTMENT BETWEEN SAID IGNITION CONTACT ASSEMBLY AND SAID ADJUSTABLEBREAKER PLATE TO OBTAIN AN APPROXIMATE SETTING BETWEEN SAID RUBBINGBLOCK AND SAID CAM, A PAIR OF INDEPENTLY OPERATED SECONDARY ADJUSTMENTMEANS BETWEEN SAID ADJUSTABLE AND FIXED BREAKER PLATE FOR OBTAINING THEFINAL SETTING BETWEEN SAID RUBBING BLOCK AND SAID CAM, AND FASTENINGMEANS FOR HOLDING SAID IGNITION CONTACT ASSEMBLY AND SAID ADJUSTABLEBREAKER PLATE IN A FIXED POSITION AFTER THE AFORESAID SETTINGS HAVE BEENMADE, ONE OF SAID SECONDARY ADJUSTMENT MEANS BEING ADAPTED TO MOVE SAIDADJUSTABLE BREAKER PLATE IN A FIRST DIRECTION SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDIC-